Cross-tie pre-plating system

ABSTRACT

A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposed ties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing and positioning the spikes and plates.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/085,400, filed Aug. 30, 1993, indicating as inventors Gerald DavidGirouard, Sr., Gerald David Girouard, Jr., and Donald Darcey, saidapplication entitled "Railroad Cross-Tie Pre-Plating Apparatus", nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Invention Field

The present invention relates to Railroad construction apparatus, and inparticular to a machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties,utilizing spikes or the like, pre-plating the ties for use inconstructing railroad track systems or the like. The preferred apparatusof the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided aconveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposedties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon atemplate conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie inthe pre-plating during the pre-plating process. The present inventionfurther includes a template system for securing the loaded cross-tie inplace, a gravity conveyor system for the rail plates, for feeding andpositioning an individual rail plate in place on the tie, a spikefeeding, dispensing, positioning, and driving system, and a dischargingmechanism for dispensing the processed tie. The present invention isunique in its relative simplicity when compared to prior art systems,taking into account the many functions performed, with many of theprinciple functional elements of the invention being accomplishedutilizing as a motive force the displacement of the of the uppertemplate member, from its raised position to its lowered position.

2. General Background Discussion

While the prior art has contemplated several systems, some going as farback as the late 1800's, for fastening rail plates or the like torailroad ties, most have proved to be so complicated as to be ratherexpensive to construct and maintain, or so simple as to be rather laborintensive and perhaps even dangerous to utilize. Perhaps this is why(even today) for pre-plating operations, manual installation of railplates is still the preferred method, with laborers utilizing pneumatichammers or sledge hammers for manually affixing rail plates to railroadties, a slow, arduous, and undoubtedly dangerous task. A listing ofprior patents which may have some general interest with regard to thepresent case are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        U.S. Pat. No.                                                                              Inventor(s)   Dates of Issue                                     ______________________________________                                          567,232    Greenshield, W. H.                                                                          09/08/1896                                           578,869    Haley, P.     03/16/1897                                           594,731    Dowe, G. W.   11/30/1897                                           680,542    Peter, J. S.  08/13/1901                                           703,755    Bender, G. L. 07/01/1902                                           712,167    Wood, F. W.   10/28/1902                                         2,762,313    Sublett, I.   09/11/1956                                         3,405,649    Foxx et al    10/15/1968                                         3,701,320    Fearon et al  10/31/1972                                         3,717,101    Katcha et al  02/10/1973                                         3,753,404    Bryan, J. F.  08/21/1973                                         4,178,671    Lutting, D.   12/18/1979                                         4,280,613    Stewart       07/28/1981                                         4,393,784    Theurer       07/19/1983                                         4,928,600    Urmson, Jr. et al                                                                           05/29/1990                                         5,067,412    Theurer et al 11/26/1991                                         ______________________________________                                    

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,701,320 (col 1) and 4,178,671 (col 1,2) teach orsuggest the utilization of rollers for conveying laterally situatedcross-ties for assembly and discharge.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,753,404 teaches (FIG. 6) a type of gravity feed forspikes, although the configuration and operation is fullydistinguishable from the present, searched for invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,613 issued Jul. 28, 1981, teaches a "Tie PlateConveying and Orienting System" wherein there is taught a system fordispensing tie plates. Unlike the present invention, however, '613 doesnot teach or contemplate individual dispenser control and movementdependent upon the upstroke and downstroke of the spike fastening means.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,649 issued Oct. 15, 1968 teaches a "Spike Driver",contemplating the utilization of gravity trays for the dispensing ofspikes, in conjunction with jaws for grabbing each individual spike andplacing same over the area to be driven. However, '649 does teaches ajaw configuration and manipulation means more complicated anddistinguishable from the present invention, both in terms of operationand implementation.

U.S. Pat. No. 703,755 issued 1902 contemplates a "Tie-Plating Machine"wherein there is taught the utilization of "gage-plates" or the like forholding the tie-plates in proper position, while being forced into thetie (the tie plates in this system utilize a distinguishable fastenerbuilt-in, as understood), the system being again distinguishable fromthat contemplated in the present, searched for invention.

As one may discern from a review of the above patents, the prior art hasyet to contemplate an efficient, cost effective, yet safe and relativelyuncomplicated system for pre-plating railroad ties or the like. Perhapsthis is why manual installation is still considered, by far, the mostcost effective means of accomplishing this task. However, withincreasing labor and health insurance costs, as well as the inherentlimitations of speed and supervision involved with a work crew,automated alternatives would be preferable, provided satisfactoryalternatives existed.

SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION

Unlike the prior art, the present invention provides railroad-tiepre-plating system which is comparatively low maintenance and reliable,while being relatively inexpensive to manufacture, requiring little inthe way of continued adjustment, while being consistent in cycle timeand output quality.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches a systemwherein there is included:

Gravity feed means for feeding the cross ties in bulk via declinerollers;

Retrieval means for retrieving an individual cross-tie from the gravityfeed;

Positioning means for positioning a single tie under a template;

Template securing means for securing the template about the positionedtie;

Rail-plate feeding and positioning means for positioning first andsecond rail plates on their designated areas on the cross tie;

Spike feeding and dispensing means for dispensing individual spikes;

Magnetically actuated spike positioning means for positioning each spikein the desired areas in conjunction with the rail plates;

Hydraulic fastening means for fastening the rail plates to the cross tievia spikes;

Discharge means for removing the pre-plated cross tie for stacking.

Unlike the prior art, the present invention contemplates a systemwherein all of the various elements interrelate in function andoperation, providing a more efficient, less redundant apparatus. Assuch, the present invention as currently configured in a workingembodiment is capable of pre-plating over eighty (80) cross ties perhour cycle time, with an average cycle time of about sixty (60) perhour.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a railroadcross-tie pre-plating system cross-ties in an hour, with an averagecycle rate of being just under one minute per tie. This is compared to amanual crew of five workers, which typically must take breaks on thehour (more on hot days), and whose hourly rate in optimal conditionswill not exceed thirty (30) pre-plated railroad cross-ties per hour.

Besides the unique method of operation, utilizing the present inventionapparatus in the pre-plating context, the present invention alsocontemplates a novel system mechanism, wherein many of the principlefunctional elements of the invention being accomplished utilizing as amotive force the displacement of the reciprocating template piston fromits raised position to its lowered position. This vertical motion isconfigured to provide the motive operating force for dispensing both thespikes as well as (indirectly) the rail plates from their bulk gravityfeed, individually to their appropriate position on the railroad tie forprocessing. A second motive force utilized comprises the four pistonsand their respective shaft press pieces for driving their respectivefour spikes, two for each rail plate; in addition to driving the spikes,each of these pistons operate also in conjunction with the verticalmotive force provided by their respective pistons, their respectivespike positioning means in the form of a template/spike manipulationarm, translating that vertical motion into back and forth horizontalmotion, grabbing, handling, and positioning each rail spike in theappropriate position for fastening the rail plates to the cross-tie.

While the system is relatively portable, and able to be transported to aproduction site in three, readily assembled pieces, an alternativeembodiment of the present invention teaches a version of the inventionwhich is designed especially for portability, wherein the mainconveyor/pre-plating area of the apparatus is located on a railroad flatcar or semi flatbed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a railroadcross-tie pre-plating system which is relatively simple in operation,yet efficient, reliable, and inexpensive to operate.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a railroadcross-tie pre-plating system which is able to be operated by one or twoworkers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a railroadcross-tie pre-plating system wherein the many operative elements relyupon common motive force, reducing redundancy, likelihood of failure,and expense.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide arailroad cross-tie pre-plating system which provides a per unit cycle ofone minute or less.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a railroadcross-tie pre-plating system which may be readily disassembled,transported to a site location, and re-assembled with minor adjustmentsand start-up procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the presentinvention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like parts are given like reference numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus ofthe present invention, illustrating the cross-tie gravity conveyor,horizontal conveyor, and pre-plating section of the apparatus of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus ofFIG. 1A, illustrating the last portion of the horizontal conveyor, andthe gravity dump conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the blocking member apparatusfor dispensing individual ties from the gravity conveyor to thehorizontal conveyor.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 2A, illustrating the blocking member apparatusfor dispensing individual ties from the gravity conveyor to thehorizontal conveyor, and operation of same.

FIG. 3A is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the blocking member of thehorizontal conveyor.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 3A, further illustrating the blocking memberof the horizontal conveyor.

FIG. 4A is an end view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the operation of the platingarea and template.

FIG. 4B is an end view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 4A, further illustrating the operation of theplating area and template.

FIG. 5A is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the central conveyor piece ofthe horizontal conveyor.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 5A, further illustrating the central conveyorpiece of the horizontal conveyor.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the support spring of thecentral conveyor piece.

FIG. 7 is a frontal, isometric view of the cross-tie pre-platingapparatus of the present invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the railplate conveyor piece communication with the pre-plating area.

FIG. 8A is an isometric view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus ofthe present invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the plate conveyor andpivotal loading member.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 8A, illustrating the operation of the pivotalloading member, dispensing a plate.

FIG. 9A is a top view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the plate positioningapparatus.

FIG. 9B is an isometric view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus ofthe present invention of FIG. 9A, illustrating the plate positioningapparatus, loading a plate onto the template.

FIG. 9C is an isometric view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus ofthe present invention of FIG. 9B, further illustrating the platepositioning apparatus, loading a plate onto the template.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus ofthe present invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the spike feeder and itscommunication with the template.

FIG. 11 is a top, isometric view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatusof the present invention of FIG. 1A, further illustrating the spikefeeder, and its communication with the template and spike manipulationarm.

FIG. 12A is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the operation of the spikefeeder mechanism of the spike gravity feed.

FIG. 12B is an isometric view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus ofthe present invention of FIG. 12A, further illustrating the operation ofthe spike feeder mechanism of the spike gravity feed.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus ofthe present invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the spike manipulationarm grabbing a dispensed spike from the spike gravity feed.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus ofthe present invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the placement of thespike in the appropriate driving position via the spike manipulationarm.

FIG. 15A is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the spike arm manipulationtemplate and its interaction with the spike manipulation arm at itshighest, retracted point.

FIG. 15B is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 15A, illustrating the spike arm manipulationtemplate and its interaction with the spike manipulation arm at itsmedial point.

FIG. 15C is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 15A, illustrating the spike arm manipulationtemplate and its interaction with the spike manipulation arm at itslowest, fully extended point.

FIG. 16A is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the end of the horizontalconveyor and kicker mechanism associated therewith.

FIG. 16B is a side view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 16A, illustrating the end of the horizontalconveyor and kicker mechanism associated therewith, further illustratingthe initiation of the kicker switch via the dispensed tie.

FIG. 17A is an end view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 1A, illustrating the end of the horizontalconveyor and the gravity dump conveyor connected laterally therewith.

FIG. 16B is an end view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 16A, illustrating the end of the horizontalconveyor and gravity dump associated therewith, further illustrating theinitiation of the kicker dumping the dispensed tie on to the gravitydump.

FIG. 17 is an end view of the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of thepresent invention of FIG. 16A, illustrating the end of the gravity dump,and tie dumping system associated therewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen in FIG. 1A, the railroad cross-tie pre-plating system Aof the preferred, exemplary embodiment of the present invention,includes a gravity conveyor 2 having bulk, un-plated railroad ties 1juxtaposed in lateral disposition thereon, the gravity conveyor having afirst, higher end 3, and a second, lower end 4. As shown, the gravityconveyor 2 communicates with a horizontal conveyor 5, configured toaccept one tie at a time, the horizontal conveyor configured to guide aloaded tie 27, directing 28 said tie into and out of the plating area 6.

As shown, juxtaposed the gravity feed 2 and horizontal conveyor 5 is anoperation platform 7, wherein the operator monitors and operates thepresent system. Disposed longitudinally along the platform are first 8and second 9 plate conveyors, for conveying (via gravity) railroadplates 12 to the pre-plating area, each plate conveyor 8,9 having afirst, higher end 10 and a second, lower end 11.

Additionally, the present invention includes first 13a,b and second14a,b pairs of spike gravity conveyors for conveying spikes into theplating area 6, each one of the spike gravity conveyors 13a,b, 14a,bhaving a first, upper end 15, and a second, lower end 16, the secondlower end communicating with the plating area 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the apparatus of the present inventionfurther includes a gravity dump conveyor 18, having a first, upper end19, and a second, lower end 20, the gravity dump conveyor incommunication with the end of the horizontal conveyor 5. As furthershown, a kicker 17 mechanism is configured remove the processed tie fromthe horizontal conveyor 5, placing the processed railroad ties 21 uponthe gravity dump conveyor 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the railroad ties 1 are dispensedindividually to the horizontal conveyor 5 via the second, lower end 4 ofthe gravity conveyor, which utilizes an operator actuated blockingmember 22, configured to hold back the bulk of railroad ties 1 anddispense a single loaded tie 27 upon demand. As shown, a reciprocatingpiston 24 is actuated, lowering 23 the blocking member 22, dispensing arailroad tie 1 from the bulk of ties, providing a dispensed tie 27 uponthe horizontal conveyor 5. Upon the loading tie passing over switch 25,the rocker arm is raised momentarily, initiating piston 24 to raise theblocking member 22, holding back the bulk ties until the next cycle.

Once the tie 27 is loaded onto the horizontal conveyor 5, it is directed28a via the conveyor rollers under the upper template 29 of the platingarea, the tie directing 30 a blocking member 31 to rotate about a pivotpoint. The blocking member is weighted to return to its blockingposition 32 once the tie has cleared the blocking member. After the tiehas cleared the blocking member, the conveyor is reversed by theoperator, directing the tie back 33 towards the blocking member 31 untilthe tie intersects with same, thereby positioning the tie in theappropriate longitudinal position with the plating apparatus.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the plating area 6 of the present inventionincludes an upper template 29 and a lower template 38 configured toaccept the loaded tie 27. The template is configured to provide multiplefunctions, including positioning the tie laterally and plate thereon. Inorder to provide consistent tie placement on the ties, each tie must bepositioned under the template in a consistent and accurate fashion.Positioning the tie in longitudinal fashion is disclosed in the aboveparagraph. With regard to positioning the tie laterally, the lowertemplate 38 is configured to migrate 37, 41 in lateral fashion relativethe horizontal conveyor in response to the up and down movement of theupper template 29.

Further referring to the drawings, reciprocating piston 137, directed bythe operator, is retracted, lifting 138 the upper template 29 which ispivotally connected 139 at the back end, allowing clearance for theplacement therein of the tie 27. Before placement of the tie, however,the operator must then further lift 138 the upper template 29 viafurther retracting of the piston 137, causing lateral movement 37 of thelower template 38 towards the platform, the lower template's 38 movementdue to its connection with upper template via chain 34, which is in turndirected through sprocket 36. When the template is lifted, this causescounter-clockwise rotation 35 of the sprocket 34, which in turn pulls 37the lower template toward the platform, aligning the upper and lowertemplates for insertion of the tie 27 therein via the horizontalconveyor.

Upon insertion of the tie 27 via the horizontal conveyor by theoperator, the reciprocating piston 137 is then directed by the operatorto extend, lowering 39 the upper template 29, causing clockwise rotationof the sprocket via the chain 34, allowing spring 40 to pull 41 thelower template 38 and tie 27 back away from the platform to theappropriate lateral position for installation of the tie, the blockingmember 42 holding the tie 27 at the appropriate position, in conjunctionwith spring bias via spring 40.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the central conveyor 5 of the presentinvention includes a support spring 127 supported section immediatelybelow the template area. Referring to FIG. 5A, the spring supportedsection is configured such that when downward force 129 is exerted uponupper template 29 via piston 137, said force is translated 130 to lowerthe lower template and central conveyor area support 43 via tie 27. Inorder to provide support for the spiking operation, and prevent damageto the rollers, the central conveyor area is configured to be displaceddownward 130 such that the central conveyor area support 43 is restingupon base support 128. After the spiking operation, the piston 137retracts, allowing the support spring 127 to raise the central conveyorarea support to the level of the rest of the conveyor, allowing the tieto be removed via same.

FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up view of the support spring 127, which isaffixed to base 128, the upper portion communicating with the centralconveyor area support 43 of the horizontal conveyor 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates the lower end of the second gravity plate conveyor,and its juxtaposition to the lowered template 29, such that a releasedrail plate 44 from the conveyor 9 falls in the vicinity of the templateplate cut 45. Further shown is the position of the second, lower end ofthe inner spike gravity conveyors 13a, 14b, each configured such thattheir dispensed spikes 50, 51 are within reach of their respective spikemanipulation arms 46, 47, for fastening the template 44 to the tie viapistons 48, 49, respectively.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the means by which individual rail plates aredispensed from the gravity conveyor 9 from the bulk of loaded plates. Asshown, the rail plates 12 are loaded upon the conveyor one after anotherin single tier fashion, from the first, higher end of the conveyor.Rollers or the like allow gravity to draw the loaded ties to the second,lower end of the conveyor, wherein the first plate 12' comes intocontact with first and second rocking loader members 53a, 53b, eachmember having a common pivotal axle 54, and an arm having first 55 andsecond 56 ends, each end having a vertical, upward disposition ending inpoints 57, 57', and 58, 58' respectively, forming a first, forward pointholding mechanism, and second, lower point holding mechanism,respectively.

As shown, rocking loading members are configured relative the gravityconveyor for the plates such that the first, forward points 57, 57' ofthe rocking loader members 53a, 53b contacts the plate spike apertures59, 60 of the first loaded spike, respectively, preventing furthermigration of the plate and any plates following.

The plates are dispensed individually by the selective, automaticpivoting 62 of said loader members 53a, 53b, lowering the first, forwardpoints 57, 57', releasing the forward plate 12', allowing said plate tofurther traverse the gravity conveyor 9. Upon the lowering of the first,forward points 57, 57', the rocking loader members 53a, 53b are pivoting62, thereby raising 63 the second, lower points 58, 58'; the system isconfigured such that the second, lower points 58, 58' are raised intothe gravity plate conveyor 9 area so as to intersect with the leadingedge of the forward, released plate 12', holding it in place prior tofinal dispensing into the rail plating area.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 8A, 8B, the rocking loadermembers 53a, 53b are selectively pivoted 63 via control red 131 assemblypivotally affixed 134 to one of the two rocking loader members at theirfirst end, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, thesecond end of control rod 131 is pivotally affixed to pivot connection132, which is affected by and in connection with sprocket 36.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 8B, when piston 137 is retracted from itsextended position, forcing upper template 29 up 138 so as, for example,to allow the passage of a tie 27 thereunder, sprocket 36 is directed ina counterclockwise 35 fashion via chain 34; consequently, pivotconnection 132 is likewise directed in a counterclockwise fashion,toward the machine, pulling 61 control rod 131 and the rocker piece 134of the loading members 53a, 53b, thereby lowering tips 57, 57',releasing the first tie 12', until it is stopped by its first edgecontacting the raised 63 second tips 58, 58'.

As further shown, control rod 131 includes an adjustment piece 133 foradjusting the system such that the lifting of the upper templateprovides sufficient rotation of sprocket 36 to provide adequate linearmovement 61 for pivoting 62 from adequately lifted first tips forsupporting the ties lowered first tips and adequate lifted second tipsfor supporting the tie 12'.

Likewise, as shown in FIG. 4B, when piston 137 is extended downward 39,such as when a tie has been positioned under the template for plating,sprocket 36 is directed in a clockwise direction, directing rod 131 viapivot connection 132 away from the template and plating area, saidaction translated via said rod to the loading members, lowering thesecond tips 58, 58', releasing the plate held thereby to be drawn bygravity down the conveyor, dropping in the area of the template cut forsaid plate for fastening upon the tie, while simultaneously the firsttips 57, 57' of the loading members are raised, preventing migration ofmore than the dispensed tie from the bulk of ties on the conveyor untilthe next cycle, when the tie is raised, and the cycle begins again.FIGS. 9a-9c illustrate a plate positioning apparatus provided inconjunction with the first and second template plate slots, forutilization in assisting exact placement of the dispensed plate from thegravity plate conveyors 8,9. These apparatus are each longitudinallyaligned and displaced at least in part under each of the respectivegravity plate conveyors with which each apparatus operates.

As shown in FIG. 9a, the plate positioning apparatus 64 comprises anoperator controlled reciprocating piston 65 having first and secondsides, the first end 66 affixed to the platform 7 or an extension of thehorizontal conveyor, the second end 67 comprising the moveable pistonshaft affixed to a plate manipulation piece 69, configured to engage andmanipulate a plate deposited from the respective gravity conveyor, abovethe apparatus, and position said plate within the plate cut 45 in thetemplate for fastening of the plate to the tie 27. As shown, the pistonis aligned so as to provide forward and rearward 70 longitudinal motionof the plate manipulation piece; the piece 69 is itself slidinglyengaged 68 to a base member. FIG. 9a illustrates the plate manipulationpiece withdrawn to its full acceptance position, ready to accept a plateto be deposited from the above gravity plate conveyor.

As illustrated in FIG. 9b, the gravity plate conveyor has deposited aplate 44, which has come to rest generally aligned with the templateplate cut, but short of the appropriate placement. The operator merelyinitiates the piston, pushing the piston shaft towards 71 and againstthe outer edge of the dispensed plate 44, pushing same into the templateplate cut 45 and over the tie 27.

FIG. 9c illustrates the completion of the installation of the dispensedplate 44 into the template plate cut 45 of template 29; the piston isnow ready to be fully withdrawn for driving of the spikes, in order tofasten the plates to the railroad tie. It is reiterated that there isprovided in the present system first and second plate manipulationpieces, corresponding to the first and second gravity plate conveyors,and first and second template plate cuts; both of the plate manipulationpieces 65 are configured to be operated by the operator simultaneouslyafter the template is lowered, and the plates have been dispensed by thegravity plate conveyors, as discussed supra.

As shown in FIG. 10, the spikes in the outer spike feeders are fedutilizing an actuation means in some respects similar to the platefeeder means disclosed in the discussion of 8a,b and 4A, B, in that theactuation is accomplished utilizing bias provided by the vertical, upand down motion of the upper template. As shown, template 29 has affixedto it a spring/chain arrangement 77, the other end of which contacts apivotal spike feeder mechanism 76, the spring/chain arrangement 77providing downward bias when the template 29 is lowered.

Also illustrated is upper bias or feed spring 74 having first and secondends, the first end affixed to the template support frame 75, the secondend affixed to the pivotal spike feeder mechanism 76, thereby providingupper bias to same. The arrangement of the upper bias or feed spring 74is illustrative of that utilized on the outer (14a, 13b as shown in FIG.1A) spike feeders, as the inner spike feeders (14b, 13a in FIG. 1A) donot utilize the template support frame 75 for supporting the upperspring, relying upon a support piece emanating from the spike feederinstead, as will be more fully shown.

As will also be more fully explained infra, the spike feeder mechanisms,comprising four in all, each situated at the lower ends of the gravityspike feeders or conveyors, juxtaposed the plating area, are configuredto dispense one spike 72 at a time, while holding back the remainingspikes 73 on the gravity spike feeder 14a.

As shown in FIG. 11, the dispensed spike 83' is held in place at the endof the spike feeder 14b via lip 83, exposing the body of the spike as ithangs at the end of the feeder so that it may be grasped and manipulatedby the spike manipulation arms 84 magnetic spike holder 89. As shown,the spike manipulation arm 84 is configured to pivot 85 from a spikegrasping position, wherein it magnetically grasps the dispensed spike83, to a spike driving position, wherein it positions the spike over thespike aperture on the rail plate, so that said spike may be driven viapiston 88 shaft press 87.

The spike manipulation arm 84 is positioned in its two respectivepositions, i.e., spike grasping position and spike driving position, viathe utilization of a vertical travel manipulation template 86 affixed tothe shaft press 87 and which travels up and down with the extension andretraction of said shaft press 87, urging the manipulation arm in theappropriate position in conjunction with the vertical position of theshaft press 87.

Roller 91 affixed to the spike manipulation arm 84, contacts themanipulation template 86, while spring 90 holds the spike manipulationarm in contact with said manipulation template 86. The operation of thespike manipulation arm will be discussed in more detail infra.

Further illustrated in FIG. 11 is spike feeder mechanism 78 as utilizedwith the inner spike feeders 14b (and 13a in FIG. 1A); as illustrated,these spike feeders operate largely the same as those in the discussionof FIG. 10, supra, except that the upper feed spring 80 is affixed to aspring support piece 81 extending from the spike feeder 14b, unlike theouter spike feeders, whose upper spring support piece is affixed to thetemplate support frame. Other than this difference, the operation is thesame; the spike 82 is dispensed based upon the vertical movement of thetemplate 29 via spring/chain arrangement 79, with the upper spring 80providing the upward bias.

FIGS. 13 and 14 further illustrate the operation of the pistonmanipulation arms of FIGS. 7 and 11. As shown in FIG. 13, with thepiston shaft press piece 87 fully retracted and in its most upward 109position, the manipulation template 86, being attached to the presspiece 87, is also in its most upward position 106. FIG. 15a illustratesthe roller 91 and spike manipulation arms 84 position relative themanipulation template 86. At this point, with the shaft press piece 87at its uppermost, 109 retracted position 112, and the spike manipulationarm forced outwards 113 from the template due to the lower, outerportion 104 of same, the outer portion 104 is configured to urge thespike manipulation arms 84 magnetic spike holder 89 away 108 from thepress area and into physical and magnetic contact with the dispensedspike 83 held at the base of the spike feeder via lip 83, grasping saidspike via magnetic spike holder 89, as shown in FIG. 13. As furthershown, spring 90 urges the spike manipulation arm 84 against themanipulation template, expanding 107 with the outward movement 108 ofsaid arm.

FIG. 14 illustrates the shaft press piece 87 of the piston in its medialposition, with said piece 87 about to contact the head of spike 83',held in place for driving into the railroad tie via spike manipulationarm 84. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15b, spike manipulation arm 84 hasbeen urged with the spike 84 into position via the medially loweredspike manipulation template 86, which has been lowered via itsconnection with the shaft press piece 87, such that said templates 86medial cut 110 is in contact with spike manipulation arm 84 and roller91, urging 111 via spring 90 the manipulation arm 84 to pivot viapivotal connection 85 into the appropriate position for driving thespike 83.

Again referring to FIG. 15b, note that the boundary cuts 104', 111"juxtaposed the medial cut 110 and the lower 104 and top 111 outertemplate cuts, respectively, are sloped at about 45° to provide forgradual manipulation of the roller 91 and the spike manipulation arm 84from an extended, outer position to an inner, retracted position, andvisa versa.

Referring to FIG. 15c, the template 86 is further provided with anupper, outer cut 111 so as to urge the spike manipulation arm 84 clearof the shaft press piece 87, once said piece has contacted and begundriving the spike, via the continued downward 106 movement of the shaftpress piece 87 and connected template 86. As shown, with the continueddownward movement 106, the roller 91 and spike manipulation arm 84 movesfrom the inner, retracted position when said roller is in contact withthe medial, inner cut 110 to the outer, extended position, away from thespike driving shaft press piece 87, via said rollers contact with thesloped boundary cut 111", and ultimately the upper, outer cut 111. Afterthe shaft press piece 87 has driven the spike all of the way into thetie, fastening the plate to the tie, the operator then fully retractsthe piston, and the apparatus is ready for the next cycle.

FIGS. 12a and 12b provide greater detail as to the operation of thespike feeder mechanism 78 of the gravity spike feeders 14b of thepresent invention; it is noted that the feeder mechanism 78 operates inthe same manner for all of the gravity spike feeding systems, includingboth the inner (14b, 13a in FIG. 1A) and the outer (14a, 13b in FIG. 1A)spike feeding systems.

Returning to FIG. 12a, the spike feeder mechanism 78 comprises front 92and rear 97, spaced dispenser blades, having an lower 93 and upper 98blade disposed thereon, respectively. The front 92 and rear 97 bladesare spaced such that the front blade 92 holds the spike 82 to bedispensed in place, with engaging the front face 94 of the spike, whilethe rear blade 97 is configured to hold back the rest of the spikes inthe spike feeder 14b while the front blade is raised, the front and rearblades to provide selective dispensing of a single spike with theraising and lowering of the upper template. Thus, the front and reardispenser blades are spaced so as to allow the passage of a single spiketherebetween.

As shown, these blades are affixed to an common actuation bar 96, whichis configured to pivot via connection 95. Lower feed spring/chainarrangement 79 as discussed supra, is affixed to the upper template atits lower end, and is affixed 96 pivotally to the actuation bar 99 atthe other end. When the template is raised 101, the upper feed spring80, affixed to support piece 81, provides bias to the actuation bar,pulling on same and causing the actuation bar to pivot 99, lowering thefront dispensing blade, configured in this position to prevent themigration of spikes from the feeder, while also lowering the reardispensing blade, configured at this position to no longer block thefeeder, allowing the migration of the spikes forward to intersect thenow blocking front dispenser blade 92, holding the spikes in place. Asthe template is raised, a plated tie can now be removed, and anun-plated tie can now be placed under the template and positioned.

As shown in FIG. 12b, once the template is lowered 102; the actuationbar is pivoted in counterclockwise fashion 103, raising the front blade92 and rear blade 97. The rear blade 97, being spaced the width of asingle spike from the front blade 92, said rear blade 97, with itscurved, upper blade 98 portion, is cuts between the spike 94 to bedispensed and the next spike, holding the next spike back, while thespike 94 to be dispensed is released by the now raised front blade 92;said spike slides down the remainder of the spike feeder, to the end ofthe feeder, where it is held for retrieval by the spike manipulation armfor placement in the appropriate position for fastening the railroadplate to the tie.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B, after the rail plates have beenfastened to the tie as set forth in the specification supra, theprocessed tie is discharged from the template area via the horizontalconveyor 5, initiates 118 kicker switch 117, until the tie 27communicates with bumper 116, at which point the tie is in position tobe discharged from the horizontal conveyor 5 to the gravity dumpconveyor via kicker 17.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate the operation of the kicker mechanism atthe end of the horizontal conveyor. As shown in FIG. 17A, the kicker 17is juxtaposed the back wall of the horizontal conveyor 51, opposite thegravity dump conveyor 18. Referring to FIG. 17B, once the kicker switch(118 in FIG. 16B) has been initiated, indicating that the processed tieis in position, a hydraulic piston or the like initiates kicker 17forward 120, forcing tie 27 on to the gravity dump conveyor 18. The tie27 is drawn along said conveyor to the lower, opposite end via rollersor the like, passing over actuation switch 121, initiating same 122,thereby re-setting the kicker back to its standby position, as shown inFIG. 17A.

Finally, FIG. 18 illustrates an optional mechanism affixed to thesecond, lower end 20 of the gravity dump conveyor 18 the mechanismincludes first and second ends, the second end the same as the secondend of the gravity dump conveyor, said second end including a pivotconnection 124 to a frame, with the first end including a liftable piececonnected to a reciprocating piston 123 or the like. This apparatus maybe the length sufficient to support 6-10 laterally arranged ties, and isparticularly useful for discharging a bundle of ties from the gravitydump. As shown, the piston may extend 125 to lift the piece to urge theties (bundled or unbundled) off of the dump, with the piston retracting126 upon discharging.

The invention embodiments herein described are done so in detail forexemplary purposes only, and may be subject to many different variationsin design, structure, application and operation methodology. Thus, thedetailed disclosures therein should be interpreted in an illustrative,exemplary manner, and not in a limited sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A railroad cross-tie pre-plating apparatus forfastening first and second plates having first and second spikeapertures to a cross-tie, comprising:a central, horizontal conveyorhaving first and second ends, and a medial area generally therebetween;a cross-tie dispenser situated in contact with said first end of saidcentral conveyor, said dispenser configured to selectively dispense asingle cross-tie onto said central conveyor upon demand; a pro-platingapparatus juxtaposed said central conveyor, comprising an upper and alower template, each template having a front side and rear side, andfirst and second ends, said upper template having disposed thereonvertical manipulation means for lifting or lowering said upper templateon demand, said upper template further having formed therein first andsecond plate cut-outs, said first and second cut-outs arranged toprovide the appropriate area for placement of first and second plates,respectively, to a single tie under said upper template, saidpre-plating apparatus further comprising: lateral manipulation means forlaterally situating a tie between said upper and lower templates forappropriate positioning under said upper template, first and secondplate conveyors having first and second ends, respectively, said firstend of said first plate conveyor near the first plate cut-out of saidupper template, said first end of said second plate conveyor situatednear said second plate cut-out of said upper template, said plateconveyors configured such that a plate dispensed from said first end offirst or second conveyor would land on or near the first or second platecut-out of said upper template, respectively; plate dispensing means fordispensing individual plates from said first and second plate conveyorsautomatically, said plate dispensing means comprising first and secondpivotal loading members fitted to said first and second plate conveyors,said pivotal loading members having a front blocking member configuredto interface with a first plate, selectively preventing the movement ofor dispensing said first plate, said pivotal loading members having arear blocking member configured to interface with a second plate whensaid first plate has been dispensed, said plate dispensing meansoperated by a control rod having first and second ends, said first endconnected to a pivotal loading member, said second end connected to saidlateral manipulation means; first and second pairs of spike feeders,each having spike feeder having first and second ends, each one of saidspike feeders of said first pair terminating in equal spaced relationabout either side of the first plate cut-out of said upper template,each one of said spike feeders of said second pair terminating in equalspaced relation about the second plate cut-out of said upper template,said spike feeders each having a holding means at their respective firstends for holding a dispensed spike, spike dispensing means fordispensing individual spikes from said spike feeders automatically, saidspike dispensing means comprising a pivotal spike loading member fittedto said spike feeders, said pivotal spike loading member having a frontblocking member configured to interface with a first spike, selectivelypreventing the movement of or dispensing of said first spike, saidpivotal spike loading members further comprising a rear blocking memberconfigured to interface with a second, following spike when said firstspike has been dispensed, said spike dispensing means initiated by acontrol piece having first and second ends, said first end connected toa pivotal spike loading member, said second end connected to said uppertemplate, such that upward vertical motion of said upper template pivotssaid pivotal spike loading members such that said front blocking memberinterfaces with the first spike, and the downward vertical motion ofsaid upper template pivots said pivotal spike loading members such thatsaid front blocking member no longer interfaces with the first spike,dispensing said first spike, and the rear blocking member interfaceswith the second, following spike; spike driving means for driving saidspikes through the dispensed plates and into the dispensed tie, saidspike driving means further comprising a vertically situated spikemanipulation arm template; first and second pairs of spike manipulationarms for individually positioning each dispensed spike above arespective spike aperture formed in one of said first or seconddispensed plates, so that said spike may be driven into the dispensedtie, fastening said plate to the tie, said spike manipulation armsactuated by the vertical movement of said spike driving means via saidspike manipulation arm template.
 2. The cross-tie pre-plating of claim1, wherein said lateral manipulation means further comprises spring biashaving first and second ends, said first end affixed to said rear sideof said lower template, said second end affixed to said frame, saidspring bias configured for urging said rear side of said lower templatetowards said frame, said lateral manipulation means further comprising:amember flexible along its length, having first and second ends and amedial area therebetween, said first end affixed to said front side ofsaid upper template, said second end affixed to said front side of saidlower template, and said medial area in pivotal communication about apivotal member removed from said upper and lower templates, andconfigured to provide lateral force toward said rear side of said lowertemplate upon the lowering of said upper template, said pivotal memberconfigured to provide lateral force toward said front side of said lowertemplate upon the raising of said upper template;
 3. The cross-tiepre-plating apparatus of claim 1, wherein there is further includedhorizontal manipulation means for horizontally manipulating thedispensed tie, positioning said tie under said upper template in theappropriate horizontal position.
 4. A railroad cross-tie pre-platingapparatus for fastening a plate having a spike aperture to a cross-tie,comprising:a horizontal conveyor having first and second ends, and amedial area generally therebetween; a pre-plating apparatus juxtaposedsaid horizontal conveyor, comprising an upper and a lower template, eachtemplate having a front side and rear side, and first and second ends,said upper template having disposed thereon vertical manipulation meansfor lifting or lowering said upper template on demand, said uppertemplate further having formed therein a plate cut-out situated toprovide the appropriate area for placement of a plate to a cross-tieunder said upper template, said pro-plating apparatus furthercomprising: lateral manipulation means for laterally situating across-tie between said upper and lower templates, for appropriatepositioning of said cross-tie under said upper template, a plateconveyor having first and second ends, respectively, said first end ofsaid plate conveyor near said plate cut-out of said upper template, saidplate conveyor configured such that a dispensed plate would land on ornear said plate cut-out of said upper template; plate dispensing meansfor dispensing an individual plate from said plate conveyor, said platedispensing means comprising a pivotal loading member fitted to saidplate conveyor, said pivotal loading member having a front blockingmember configured to interface with a first plate, selectivelypreventing the movement of or dispensing said first plate, said pivotalloading member having a rear blocking member configured to interfacewith a second plate when said first plate has been dispensed, said platedispensing means operated by a control rod having first and second ends,said first end connected to a pivotal loading member, said second endconnected to said lateral manipulation means; a spike feeder havingfirst and second ends, said first end of said spike feeder terminatingnear said plate cut-out of said upper template, said spike feederfurther comprising spike holding means at said first end of said spikefeeder for holding a dispensed spike; spike driving means for drivingsaid dispensed spike through the dispensed plate and into the dispensedtie, said spike driving means further comprising a vertically situatedspike manipulation arm template; a spike manipulation arm forindividually positioning each dispensed spike above a spike apertureformed in said dispensed plate, so that said spike may be driven intothe dispensed tie, fastening said plate to the tie, said spikemanipulation arm actuated by the vertical movement of said spike drivingmeans via said spike manipulation arm template.
 5. The cross-tiepre-plating apparatus of claim 4, wherein there is further includedspike dispensing means for dispensing individual spikes from said spikefeeder automatically, said spike dispensing means comprising a pivotalspike loading member fitted to said spike feeders, said pivotal spikeloading member having a front blocking member configured to interfacewith a first spike, selectively preventing the movement of or dispensingof said first spike, said pivotal spike loading members furthercomprising a rear blocking member configured to interface with a second,following spike when said first spike has been dispensed, said spikedispensing means initiated by a control piece having first and secondends, said first end connected to a pivotal spike loading member, saidsecond end connected to said upper template, such that upward verticalmotion of said upper template pivots said pivotal spike loading memberssuch that said front blocking member interfaces with the first spike,and the downward vertical motion of said upper template pivots saidpivotal spike loading members such that said front blocking member nolonger interfaces with the first spike, dispensing said first spike, andthe rear blocking member interfaces with the second, following spike. 6.The cross-tie pre-plating of claim 4, wherein said lateral manipulationmeans further comprises spring bias having first and second ends, saidfirst end affixed to said rear side of said lower template, said secondend affixed to said frame, said spring bias configured to urge said rearside of said lower template towards said frame, said lateralmanipulation means further comprising:a member flexible along itslength, having first and second ends and a medial area therebetween,said first end affixed to said front side of said upper template, saidsecond end affixed to said front side of said lower template, and saidmedial area in pivotal communication about a pivotal member removed fromsaid upper and lower templates, and configured to provide lateral forcetoward said rear side of said lower template upon the lowering of saidupper template, said pivotal member configured to provide lateral forcetoward said front side of said lower template upon the raising of saidupper template.
 7. The cross-tie pre-plating apparatus of claim 4,wherein there is further included horizontal manipulation means forhorizontally manipulating the dispensed tie, positioning said tie undersaid upper template in the appropriate horizontal position.
 8. Arailroad cross-tie pre-plating apparatus for fastening a plate having aspike aperture to a cross-tie, comprising:a horizontal conveyor havingfirst and second ends, and a medial area generally therebetween; apre-plating apparatus juxtaposed said horizontal conveyor, comprising anupper and a lower template, each template having a front side and rearside, and first and second ends, said upper template having disposedthereon vertical manipulation means for lifting or lowering said uppertemplate on demand, said upper template further having formed therein aplate cut-out situated to provide the appropriate area for placement ofa plate to a cross-tie under said upper template, said pre-platingapparatus further comprising:lateral manipulation means for laterallysituating a cross-tie between said upper and lower templates, forappropriate positioning of said cross-tie under said upper template, aplate conveyor having first and second ends, respectively, said firstend of said plate conveyor near said plate cut-out of said uppertemplate, said plate conveyor configured such that a dispensed platewould land on or near said plate cut-out of said upper template; platedispensing means for dispensing an individual plate from said plateconveyor, said plate dispensing means comprising a pivotal loadingmember fitted to said plate conveyor, said pivotal loading member havinga front blocking member configured to interface with a first plate,selectively preventing the movement of or dispensing said first plate,said pivotal loading member having a rear blocking member configured tointerface with a second plate when said first plate has been dispensed,said plate dispensing means operated by a control rod having first andsecond ends, said first end connected to a pivotal loading member, saidsecond end connected to said lateral manipulation means; a spike feederhaving first and second ends, said first end of said spike feederterminating near said plate cut-out of said upper template, said spikefeeder further comprising spike holding means at said first end of saidspike feeder for holding a dispensed spike; spike driving means fordriving said dispensed spike through the dispensed plate and into thedispensed tie; a spike manipulation arm for individually positioningeach dispensed spike above a spike aperture formed in said dispensedplate, so that said spike may be driven into the dispensed tie,fastening said plate to the tie.
 9. The cross-tie pre-plating apparatusof claim 8, wherein there is further included spike dispensing means fordispensing individual spikes from said spike feeder automatically, saidspike dispensing means comprising a pivotal spike loading member fittedto said spike feeders, said pivotal spike loading member having a frontblocking member configured to interface with a first spike, selectivelypreventing the movement of or dispensing of said first spike, saidpivotal spike loading members further comprising a rear blocking memberconfigured to interface with a second, following spike when said firstspike has been dispensed, said spike dispensing means initiated by acontrol piece having first and second ends, said first end connected toa pivotal spike loading member, said second end connected to said uppertemplate, such that upward vertical motion of said upper template pivotssaid pivotal spike loading members such that said front blocking memberinterfaces with the first spike, and the downward vertical motion ofsaid upper template pivots said pivotal spike loading members such thatsaid front blocking member no longer interfaces with the first spike,dispensing said first spike, and the rear blocking member interfaceswith the second, following spike.
 10. The cross-tie pre-plating of claim8, wherein said lateral manipulation means further comprises spring biashaving first and second ends, said first end affixed to said rear sideof said lower template, said second end affixed to said frame, saidspring bias configured to urge said rear side of said lower templatetowards said frame, said lateral manipulation means further comprising:amember flexible along its length, having first and second ends and amedial area therebetween, said first end affixed to said front side ofsaid upper template, said second end affixed to said front side of saidlower template, and said medial area in pivotal communication about apivotal member removed from said upper and lower templates, andconfigured to provide lateral force toward said rear side of said lowertemplate upon the lowering of said upper template, said pivotal memberconfigured to provide lateral force toward said front side of said lowertemplate upon the raising of said upper template.
 11. The cross-tiepre-plating apparatus of claim 8, wherein there is further includedhorizontal manipulation means for horizontally manipulating thedispensed tie, positioning said tie under said upper template in theappropriate horizontal position.